'Very dangerous' West Cornwall man jailed after bomb components found in biscuit tin

A West Cornwall man has been jailed for 12 years after he pleaded guilty to threats to kill, having an explosive and having an explosive with intent.

Christopher Hines-Randle, 54, was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment on Friday, March 21, at Truro Crown Court.

Hines-Randle was arrested on 21 June 2013 in his car on the Threemilestone industrial estate, Truro, after a witness came forward with concerns about his state-of-mind and having seen what was believed to be component parts to an explosive device in his car.

On arrest, Hines-Randle’s car, which he had been sleeping in, was searched and a biscuit tin, containing what was believed to be the same component parts, was located in the front passenger footwell.

The area was closed off and bomb disposal experts alerted and attended to make sure the device was safe.

This device was subsequently forensically examined and found to be component parts to an improvised explosive device. A quantity of other substances was seized from inside the car, which can also be used in the making of a device of this kind.

Hines-Randle had intimated to the witness that he intended to set off two devices, one in Penzance and the other in the Truro area in order to divert police attention away from his specific targets which were his ex-wife, mother-in-law, a psychiatrist and a social worker.

Detective Constable Andy Whittle, investigating officer, said: “Hines-Randle was a very dangerous man and, if his plans had been allowed to continue, people’s lives would have been put at serious risk.

“The victims involved in this case have had the stress and fear of Hines-Randle hanging over them for several months, especially his ex-wife and mother-in-law who have had to live with his threats for some considerable time.

“I hope that the substantial prison sentence that has been passed by the judge today gives them some comfort and allows them to get on with their lives.”